The third Monday of Sawan has drawn large crowds of devotees to prominent Shiva temples across Bihar and Jharkhand. At Baba Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar, a queue stretching for around 10 kilometres has been reported amid the heavy rush. Devotees who have travelled from different places to offer water and seek darshan of Baba Baidyanath have been waiting for hours for their turn. Large numbers of devotees have also been reaching major Shiva temples across the country on the Sawan Monday.
Special arrangements have been made at major Shiva shrines in Bihar for the third Monday of Sawan. At Harigiridham, devotees reportedly began forming queues during the night. At the famous Baba Garibnath Temple in Muzaffarpur, preparations have also been made for special religious events. There is particular interest among devotees in preparations for a flower shower from a helicopter.
Chants of “Har Har Mahadev” and “Bol Bam” have been echoing through the temples since morning. Groups of Kanwariyas have continued to move towards the temples, while many devotees reached temple areas during the night and joined the queues to seek darshan and perform Jalabhishek in the morning.
At Baba Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar, large numbers of devotees arrive every Monday during Sawan. On the third Monday, the growing crowd has caused the queue to extend for several kilometres. Devotees have had to walk long distances to reach the temple. Women, elderly people, young people and children have all been seen among those waiting in the queue.
Waiting in such a long queue is difficult for devotees, but enthusiasm has remained among those waiting. Many have continued moving forward while chanting religious slogans. Volunteers and service camps along the route have been attempting to provide water and other essential facilities.
Harigiridham has also witnessed special activity on the third Monday. Devotees have reportedly been arriving in queues since the night. Jalabhishek of Lord Shiva on Sawan Mondays is considered significant, and the number of devotees at major Shiva temples increases every year on these occasions.
Special arrangements have also been made at Baba Garibnath Dham in Muzaffarpur for the third Monday. Arrangements are being made in and around the temple in view of the large gathering of devotees. On the second Monday, a large number of Kanwariyas and devotees had reached Baba Garibnath Dham, where a flower shower from a helicopter was also organised.
The journey of Kanwariyas carrying Ganga water from Pahleja Ghat to Garibnath Dham is also a major feature of the Sawan Monday observance. The distance from Pahleja Ghat to Garibnath Dham is reported to be around 70 kilometres, and a large number of Kanwariyas complete the journey on foot. On the second Monday, flowers were also showered from a helicopter on Kanwariyas at Pahleja Ghat.
There is similar anticipation among devotees over the flower shower at Garibnath Temple on the third Monday. The sight of flowers being showered from a helicopter is an attraction for devotees. Such events add to the activity around the temple premises.
Managing crowds at temples during Sawan Mondays is a major challenge for the administration. With large numbers of devotees travelling through the area, particular attention is required for queue management, security, drinking water, medical facilities and traffic management.
In view of the reported 10-kilometre queue at Baba Dham, devotees are required to maintain patience. Standing in a queue over a long distance can be particularly difficult for elderly people and children, making continued provision of facilities by the administration and volunteer organisations important.
Security arrangements are also increased around the temples. Authorities maintain surveillance to prevent disorder or rumours amid the crowds. CCTV cameras and police personnel may also be used to monitor crowd movement.
Roads have also been witnessing heavier-than-usual crowds because of the third Monday of Sawan. Groups of Kanwariyas are moving forward on foot, while local residents have established service camps at several places. Camps providing fruit, water and sherbet can also be seen along the routes.
The Sawan Monday observance also becomes an occasion for social participation, with large numbers of people involved in serving Kanwariyas. Local residents attempt to provide water, food and medical assistance at their own level.
Special puja and adornment are also being carried out at several Shiva temples in Bihar for the third Monday. Temples have been decorated with flowers and lights, and devotees began arriving at the temple premises from the morning.
At Baba Garibnath Dham, the proposed flower shower is expected to add to the enthusiasm among devotees. Similar excitement was seen among Kanwariyas and devotees during the earlier helicopter flower shower.
With the third Monday of Sawan, religious activity associated with the month has intensified. From Baba Baidyanath Dham to Garibnath Dham and Harigiridham, large numbers of Shiva devotees are present. Many have travelled long distances to reach the temples and perform Jalabhishek of Lord Shiva.
In view of the heavy crowds, devotees are being urged to follow administrative instructions and maintain the queue system. Avoiding pushing in crowded areas and taking particular care of children and elderly people remain important.
